§ 46. Mr. MANDERasked the Prime Minister whether the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown was obtained before the cuts in the Judges' salaries were made?
§ The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)It is not the practice to obtain the formal opinion of the Law Officers in advance of legislation, and the Law Officers of the Crown were not asked to give an opinion in this case before the reductions in the Judges' salaries were made. The matter was, however, considered by a committee of which the Attorney-General (Sir William Jowitt) was a member in September, 1931, when the Economy Bill and the reductions in the Judges' salaries were, with other matters, taken under consideration. The opinion of the Law Officers was taken after the Act and the Order in Council had become law.
§ Mr. MANDERIn view of the situation which has arisen, will my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of making an appeal to the Judges to make such voluntary sacrifices of income as the national situation seems to demand, and restore the cut?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am obliged for my hon. Friend's suggestion.